Microsoft has launched Copilot Pro, a new paid subscription service that brings its most advanced artificial intelligence features to individual consumers. This offering places powerful AI tools directly within popular Microsoft 365 applications like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, aiming to assist users with tasks ranging from writing and data analysis to presentation design. The service is available in the United States for a monthly fee of $20 per person.
Key Takeaways
- Product: Copilot Pro, a premium AI subscription for individuals.
- US Price: $20 per month.
- Main Feature: Integrates AI capabilities directly into Microsoft 365 apps.
- Prerequisite: Users must have an active Microsoft 365 Personal or Family subscription to use the AI features within the desktop apps.
- Extra Benefits: Includes priority access to the latest OpenAI models and faster AI image generation.
Copilot Pro is designed for individuals who heavily use Microsoft’s software suite and want to speed up their workflow. Subscribers gain access to the AI assistant within Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and OneNote on PC, Mac, and iPad. For example, in Microsoft Word, a user can ask Copilot Pro to draft entire documents, summarize long texts, or rewrite paragraphs in a different tone. In PowerPoint, it can create a full presentation from a simple text prompt, complete with text and suggested images.
The features in Excel, currently in preview, allow users to ask questions about their data in plain language to generate formulas, create charts, and identify trends without manual effort. In Outlook, the tool helps manage the inbox by summarizing lengthy email threads and suggesting replies. This level of assistance within the applications themselves is the primary difference between the paid Pro version and the free version of Copilot, which operates as a standalone chatbot.
To access these integrated features, a customer must have two separate subscriptions: a Microsoft 365 Personal or Family plan, and the new Copilot Pro plan. Without the Microsoft 365 subscription, Copilot Pro still offers benefits like priority access to newer AI models, such as OpenAI’s GPT-4 Turbo, even during peak usage times. This ensures faster responses and better performance. The subscription also provides 100 “boosts” per day for creating AI images more quickly using the Designer tool, formerly known as Bing Image Creator.
Microsoft’s move makes its advanced AI capabilities available to a broader audience beyond its large business clients. The company already offers “Copilot for Microsoft 365” to enterprise customers. Copilot Pro is positioned as the equivalent for power users, freelancers, students, and anyone looking for advanced AI assistance in their personal projects. The pricing and dual-subscription requirement will be a key factor for consumers considering the service.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q. What is Copilot Pro?
A. Copilot Pro is a paid monthly subscription from Microsoft that provides premium AI features. It includes AI assistance within Microsoft 365 apps, priority access to the latest AI models, and faster image creation tools.
Q. Do I need a Microsoft 365 subscription to use Copilot Pro?
A. Yes, to use the Copilot AI features inside desktop applications like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, you must have a separate, active Microsoft 365 Personal or Family subscription.
Q. How much does Copilot Pro cost in the US?
A. In the United States, the Copilot Pro subscription costs $20 per month, per user. This is in addition to the cost of a Microsoft 365 plan.
Q. What is the difference between the free Copilot and Copilot Pro?
A. The free version of Copilot is a standalone AI chatbot. Copilot Pro integrates directly into Microsoft 365 apps to help you write, analyze data, and create presentations. The Pro version also gives you priority access to newer and faster AI models and provides more credits for AI image generation.
